Sign the Petition
Residents who wish to support the petition can sign here:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/q1Vff5RVRm
The petition closes at 1700hrs on 30th November.
You can also sign using the QR code shown in the attached documents.
Supporting responsible, sustainable development for our community
We are sharing this important update on behalf of the Chester Green Belt Alliance, representing the Parish Councils of Christleton, Great Boughton, Guilden Sutton, Littleton, Mickle Trafford, Rowton and Waverton.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan that will determine where future housing should be built across the borough. One option being considered is the release of Green Belt land to the east of Chester—an area already facing speculative development proposals that are not aligned with local employment needs or sustainable planning principles.
The Green Belt Alliance is encouraging local residents to support a more strategic, balanced approach to future growth.
What the Petition is Calling For
1. Prioritising regeneration
Focusing new housing in areas of highest need where development can support existing employment, reduce inequality, and revitalise urban areas.
2. Making full use of brownfield sites
Updating and expanding the brownfield land register to support development on suitable, previously used land rather than open countryside.
3. Rejecting speculative Green Belt proposals
Opposing premature applications on Green Belt land east of Chester (the CHO2 area), which risk prejudicing the Local Plan and encouraging urban sprawl.
This approach helps prevent developments that:
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bypass the Local Plan
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expand Chester unnecessarily into open countryside
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increase traffic and pressure on roads and infrastructure
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damage the historic setting of the city
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raise accident and pollution risks
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remove important community and environmental spaces
Why This Matters
Cheshire has significant differences in life expectancy and quality of life across the borough. Responsible development should focus on improving areas most in need, not expanding into the Green Belt where demand is unproven.
More than 5,000 homes have already been proposed for the east side of Chester in recent years, with many completed homes still unoccupied. Over 1,000 homes have been submitted through speculative applications alone, including:
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200 homes behind the Mercure Hotel (Christleton)
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500 homes behind the Doubletree (Guilden Sutton)
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160 homes + 9 homes in Mickle Trafford
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32 homes on Brown Heath Road
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Additional applications across Christleton, Rowton and Waverton
These speculative proposals divert planning resources away from regeneration, brownfield development, and community-focused design.